My preschooler has a lot of toys. He loves a lot of them, especially our tablet. But of all our toys, the one we consider best for him is our LeapFrog LeapStart.
The LeapStart is very similar to a LeapReader in that a child uses a touch-pen to learn, read, and play games through age-appropriate books. Here are 10 reasons I think the LeapStart is the best gift you can give a preschooler or young school-age child in your life!
Learning is Natural
Instead of stories (like a LeapReader) the LeapStart is directed toward learning. The preschooler appropriate books aim at shapes, colors, numbers and letters. All while learning to follow directions, remember tasks, and celebrate success. Learning doesn’t feel like a task, it’s done through playing games and simply comes naturally.
LeapStart is Fun
LeapFrog built fun into the LeapStart system. The books are full of bright colors, fun characters, and entertaining games to play. It doesn’t feel like work or learning, it feels like play.
LeapStart is Easy to Operate
My 2 year old can operate this system. Literally. Just put the book in, push the power button, and play. There are no cartridges to load, no start spots for each page, and no complex set-up. Just simple play. The lack of cartridges kind of boggles my mind, somehow the system knows what the pen is looking at without being told in any way what book is loaded or what page is open. Easy peasy lemon squeezy.
LeapStart Grows with Your Child
The LeapStart has a variety of books to choose from, in a variety of topics and age groups. Best part of this is that: As my kids get older, we just have to provide books directed at their level. The concepts, tasks and learning gets harder with the older-age books. Once he’s mastered his ABCs, shapes and colors, we just have to grab the next book up and the learning continues.
The Whole LeapStart System is Portable
Simply put the pen in it’s cubby, close the system and go. It even has a pocket in the back to store an extra book, so we can have two books and the system without any extra anything.
There’s no Mess
It’s books. And an inkless pen. Not playdough. Not a bunch of loose letters and numbers. Not a pile of flash cards or a bunch of colored balls to match. Books, spiral bound and ready to read. Plus the pen doesn’t write, so I don’t have to worry about them writing all over the books or nearby flooring.
The Volume can be Controlled
The LeapStart not only has buttons to increase/decrease the volume, it has a headphone jack. We can literally use it anywhere, regardless of ambient noise or mom’s need for silence.
The LeapStart is Resilient
My toddler has dropped our LeapStart. More than a few times. So have I. It still works. It doesn’t even have any scratches, cracks or dents yet. My toddler has also taken out a bit of anger on the books. I caught her trying to rip a page the other day. Though she probably could rip a page with some good effort, the paper is thick enough that they pages won’t be easily ripped or ripped by accident. The spiral binding on the books is thick, the covers are thick, and the plastic pen is tough.
It’s not a Tablet
Don’t get me wrong, tablets are great. But when my preschooler would rather watch YouTube type videos all day long, the tablet is the last thing I want to give him. The LeapStart doesn’t have the ability to be brainless. While he has fun, he’s learning. He has to interact with it to make it work, so he cannot just watch and zone out.
Overall, LeapFrog simply Rocks
We love LeapFrog. We have Scout and Violet puppies, we watch some LeapFrog TV episodes, and we enjoy other LeapFrog products. So it’s fun that some of the books feature original LeapFrog characters that my kids can recognize and grow with.
Check out the LeapStart and Leapfrog for yourself! OR win one here!
LeapStart Giveaway
Leave a comment about teaching preschoolers, then fill out the Rafflecopter form and complete other entries to win! Giveaway ends August 23rd at midnight. Good luck!
We received our LeapStart to review, opinions are 100% my own.
Having a lot of patience while teaching is key and let them play a lot
Homeschool is a great way to include younger siblings.
Teaching pre-school can be fun and exciting for you and the child. Keep it fun while learning is the key!
I like to use music and art to teach preschool age.
I like to use bright colors from books to help them learn. I also like to use music to keep them entertained.
My kids learn a lot from songs
to me they are the greatest age to work with it
Preschool age is so fun! My daughter is starting preschool this year. I think having fun while learning is most important at this age!
Teaching preschoolers is challenging – I’m always up for trying new ways and new things. I love books. My kids love books. We could read all day – fun that this is a way they can “read” books by themselves! Thanks for the review! Fun!!
Keep everything as simple and short as possible.
As a retired K teacher, I always had success making a game of learning new skills.
Make it a game – learning is always so much more fun that way!
Everything can be a learning experience for preschoolers! We teach through play a lot, its fun and exciting for the kids. We read a lot of books, play games, do puzzles.
We love books and colorful games! They learn so much, these look awesome!
Preschoolers are such fun to teach. They learn constantly! I always like to use rhymes or songs to teach them.
I use educational games to teach my son, and he loves them!
Thank You
I have been a preschool teacher for twenty five years and they love reading and singing.
Preschool age is so fun! The kids are so cute and anxious to learn!
Have patience and lots of fun.
Preschoolers are like sponges…ready and willing to soak up all the fun and learning.
You have to have a lot of patience while teaching a preschooler and a lot of time as well One step at a time
I was homeschooled from early grade school to high school and I wish we had something like this! I love that its hands on and the charaters make them want to read a play along.
I want my 4yr old daughter to have one for Christmas. Myself and my husband send our daughter to a preschool, however we really want her to have something at home as well that she can continue to learn from, and maybe one day we might be able to financially be able for me to stay at home and homeschool our daughter.
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